Hunger strike by surrendered Maoist leader highlights concerns over delayed trials, prison conditions

By A Representative

The () has issued a statement expressing concern over the ongoing hunger strike by , also known as , a surrendered leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), who has been on strike for seven days at the in .

According to CASR, Azad began his hunger strike on October 15, following what it described as the failure of the and governments to comply with directions to expedite trials in his cases. The Supreme Court, in , had reportedly instructed both state governments to establish special courts and complete all cases against him within one year, beginning September 2025.

Azad had surrendered to the Andhra Pradesh police on , under assurances of rehabilitation and reintegration into society. CASR alleges that he was subsequently re-arrested by the and has remained in custody for nearly 15 years without a conclusive trial.

The organization also raised concerns about the conditions of other inmates in Jharpada Jail, including , an reportedly paralyzed and under long-term hospital care, as well as others like and , who it said face repeated inter-state prison transfers under . CASR stated that these transfers obstruct bail processes and family visits.

In its statement, CASR called for the immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s orders in Azad’s case, bail and medical care for ailing prisoners, and an end to frequent inter-state transfers of political detainees. It further urged the authorities to ensure timely trials and to release prisoners held under what it described as “vague charges” and prolonged pre-trial detention.

CASR is a coalition of various student, workers’, and human rights organizations including , and others.

Sardar made up his mind on Pakistan in Dec 1946 "before" Mountbatten's Partition Plan

By Hari Desai* One has to be extra cautious while dealing with the history of towering personalities of the Indian freedom struggle, especially that of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (October 31, 1875 - December 15, 1950). Present-day politicians prefer to "pronounce” on his life and quote him according to their convenience like a blind person describing an elephant.

Beyond the Ayodhya theft: A tainted system, a crisis of trust

By Martin Macwan* Recently, the issue of "theft of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram temple" has taken centre stage on social media. Whether "no theft occurred," or "this is the first such incident," or "the theft was limited only to cash" are now secondary questions, because the evidence has come not from the opposition, from people of other faiths, or from foreigners, but from ordinary devout believers, from saints and monks, and from sincere workers of the ruling party itself.

The Guardian controversy and the moral question of 12 years of Modi's leadership

By Mohd Ziyauallah Khan A recent opinion article published in The Guardian , titled "Can Narendra Modi Accept Any Medal?", reignited a fierce debate about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's international recognition and the moral legacy of his leadership. The article argued that while Modi has received numerous state honours and awards from foreign governments, a more fundamental question remains unanswered: Can a leader be celebrated internationally while presiding over growing concerns about democratic decline, social polarization , and civil liberties at home? The controversy quickly spread across political and media circles. Supporters dismissed the article as biased, while critics argued that it reflected concerns already expressed by international democracy watchdogs , human rights organizations, and sections of the global press. Yet beyond political loyalties lies a deeper question: How should the success of a government be measured, especially when it...

Counterview

Search This Blog